Vinopolis Wine Shop February 29th

OREGON

Arterberry Maresh Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Winery note “There is a scant amount of 1983-planted Chardonnay at Weber, which is blended with Maresh and bottled as Dundee Hills Chardonnay. Focusing on purity, precision and freshness, the Chardonnay from Arterberry Maresh is built to age. Whole clusters of Chardonnay are gently pressed and see an extended settling period before being racked to 10%-15% new French oak barrels for fermentation. Malolactic proceeds naturally and is followed by a 16-month elevage on wholly undisturbed lees.”

Arterberry Maresh Juliard Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Winery note “A classic vintage of Juliard.  One of the Dundee’s most distinctive vineyards.  Destemmed in 1¼ ton lots, Jim’s light touch in the winery allows the intrinsic character of the wine to blossom. Passive temperature management ensures spontaneous fermentation proceeds and is monitored and guided by sensory analysis, gentle extraction techniques and low peak temperatures. Immediately upon reaching dryness, the lots are gently pressed in a half-ton wood bladder press and settle 2-4 weeks before being transferred to 5%-10% new French Oak barrels for 14-18 months. They are only racked to prepare for bottling.”

Arterberry Maresh Weber Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Winery note “Since 2010, Arterberry Maresh has contracted 1976 and 1983 planted, own-rooted Pommard clone Pinot Noir from Weber Vineyard. The true east-facing site is located southeast of Winderlea and gets limited afternoon sun, though tends to ripen early at 350’-450’ elevation. Since debuting in 2010, Weber has shown to be forward, deep and vibrantly perfumed. Sweet notes of juicy currant, blackcap raspberry, dark cherry, maple, earth and a resinous poppy seed note. The structure is refined and acidity taut, but Weber speaks in noble, forward tones.”

Adelsheim Vineyard Calkins Lane Syrah 2011 750ML ($39.95) $18 special
From the winery: “This Northern Rhône-style wine opens to reveal aromas of blackberry, blueberry and red currant, along with the subtle hint of black pepper, and roasted meat. In the mouth, you’ll find a wonderful berry sweetness, and rich, luscious tannins.
“Syrah is one of the principal varieties grown up and down France’s Rhone Valley. However, it is in the northern part of that valley where the variety really comes into its own as a pure varietal wine from such vineyards as Côte Rôtie and Hermitage. These great Syrah vineyards lie just north of the 45th parallel, like the vineyards in the north Willamette Valley. While we don’t put too much stock, from a wine standpoint, in being on the same latitude, it did lead us to wonder how Syrah from our vineyards would taste. In 2003, we planted half an acre of one of the earliest-ripening clones of Syrah from France on our warmest site, the vineyard next to our winery at Calkins Lane.”

Evesham Wood Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 1.5L ($89.95) $79 special
Winery note: “What a special place Temperance Hill is and what special wines come from it. As always, that “Temperance Hill note” is immediately evident on the nose. It’s hard to nail that note–cedar, green tobacco, freshly sawn wood–whatever you call it, it’s always there, but this year right there with it is a cherry and almost strawberry jam component. The mid palate is well-structured and full of fruit notes.”

WASHINGTON
Dunham Cellars Lewis Estate Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Another terrific effort, and one of the strongest Syrahs in the vintage, the 2011 Syrah Lewis Vineyard is 100% Syrah that spent 30 months in 90% new French oak, which you’d never know by tasting it. Gorgeous blackberry, blueberry, wild herbs, licorice, chocolate and hints of crushed rock all emerge from this beauty, and it flows onto the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity and a seamless, elegant profile. It’s enjoyable now, but will shine for another decade at least as well.”

Den Hoed ‘Marie’s View’ Red, Horse Heaven Hills 2009 750ML ($79.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Along the same lines, the 2009 Marie’s View is a tweaked blend of 25% each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot, with the balance Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese aged for 24 months in half new French oak. Perfumed and complex, with notions of liquid violets, sappy herbs, red and black fruits and exotic spices, this beauty hits the palate with a full-bodied, sweetly fruited, yet elegant profile that stays light and weightless. A thrilling, hedonistic drink, it will continue to deliver the goods through 2019.”

FRANCE-BURGUNDYJean-Philippe Fichet Meursault 2012 750ML ($69.95)

$56 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91 points “Bright medium yellow-straw. Demonstrative nose offers scents of ginger, quinine, anise, licorice and wild herbs: more spicy than fruity. Dense, tactile and pliant, with dry, chewy flavors of apple, pear and spicy oak, along with a riper suggestion of fresh apricot. This very sexy wine has the sweetness to give it early appeal and the density to deepen in bottle for several years. In a blind flight of Fichet’s 2012s, this basic village offering was an outperformer.” ST

Domaine A. & P. de Villaine Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise La Fortune 2013 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Winery note “The wine seduces with its aromas of red berries and promises a good texture while being crisp and tasty.”

Domaine Henri et Gilles Buisson Saint-Romain Absolu Blanc 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Importer note “From 50 year old vines in the “Sous la Velle” parcel, planted on clay over marl, the grapes that go into this cuvée are meticulously sorted in both the vineyard and cellar, necessary steps in readying the juice to be vinified sans soufre. Fermentation takes place in barrel, with temperature control and indigenous yeast, and the wine spends a year aging in barrels, 10% new, 90% used. In the old white Burgundy tradition, the wine is bottled in January, two winters after harvest, and with a light filtration. The wine has vivid notes of white flower and white citrus, hints of grapefruit, and the palate is full, saline, and pure. Crushed, vinified, and bottled with no added sulfur.”

Domaine Henri et Gilles Buisson Saint-Romain La Perriere 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Importer note “This wine comes from a parcel of younger vines (15 years of age as of 2011) planted in a lieu-dit that is highly regarded for its Chardonnay.  The soil is a classic mix of clay and limestone.  The grapes are harvested by hand and then pressed and racked into barrel for fermentation and elevage.  The oak regimen is 10% new with the remainder of the barrels being one to six years old.  The wine is bottled by gravity and is lightly fined and filtered.”Domaine Henri et Gilles Buisson Saint-Romain Sous La Velle 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Importer note “This second white from the Saint Romain appellation is more full-bodied and rustic than its neighbor « La Perriere ».  In this case, the vines are quite old having an average age of 50 years (as of 2011).  The soil of “Sous la Velle” is different from “La Perriere” having a greater proportion of marne mixed with the clay and limestone.  The wine is, as a result, less elegant than its companion but it is more powerful and broad-shouldered.  This wine is barrel-fermented and barrel-aged for twelve months after the harvest with 10% of the barrels being new.”

Domaine Henri et Gilles Buisson Saint-Romain Absolu Rouge 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Grapelive 92 points “The latest releases from Domaine Henri & Gilles Buisson were soulfully crafted by Frederick “Fred” Buisson, a dynamic youthful winemaker that is going towards a natural style of wine, this is an excellent debut set of Burgundies, specially his classic set of Saint-Romain whites and this “Absolu” red Saint-Romain that was made from organic vines, native yeast fermented and with no sulfur added. It is similar in style to Philippe Pacalet and offers plenty of terroir and whole cluster influence and has lots of verve and spice with layers of red cherry, plum, chalk dust, loamy, cracked pepper and succulent red currants with light floral tones throughout as well as a mineral essence. This wine really grows on you in the glass revealing more charm and Pinot character with air adding hints of cranberry, apple skin, red peach and sweet tea spices. I can imagine Buisson the younger gaining a strong fan base over the next few vintages, there is a lot to admire about about this “natural” red Burgundy and for his traditional set of whites. Only tiny amounts of the production is imported, so this will be a hard get, but worth checking out if you come across it, drink over the next 3 to 5 years.”

FRANCE-BORDEAUX

Chateau L’Evangile, Pomerol 2009 750ML ($599.95) $379 special, 2 bottles available
Robert Parker 100 points “An astonishing effort from the Rothschild family, the 2009 l’Evangile may be the reference point offering from this estate for decades to come. A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new oak, with 15% natural alcohol, it exhibits a sumptuous bouquet of caramels, black raspberry liqueur, blackberries, violets, graphite and truffles. Thick, viscous flavors are reminiscent of such super-ripe vintages as 1982, 1959, 1949 and 1947. The striking aromatics, massive, full-bodied mouthfeel and multilayered palate that resembles a skyscraper in the mouth offer an abject lesson in great winemaking, extraordinary terroir, and the ability to combine power with precision, elegance and freshness. This is unquestionably a huge wine, but it also possesses mindboggling complexity and finesse. Because of its sheer extract and velvety personality, it will be drinkable in 4-5 years, and will keep for four decades or more where well-stored. The most profound L’Evangile ever made?” RP

Chateau d’Arcole, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Vinopolnote- Bordeaux 2009 vintage, Grand Cru Vineyard, tastes great, less filling. Just coming into a good zone of aging, good drink over the coming 8-10 yearsFRANCE-RHONE
Vignobles Brunier Domaine Les Pallieres Au Petit Bonheur Les Pallieres Gigondas Rose 2014 750ML ($24.95) $17 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Vivid pink. Sexy, high-pitched red berry and orange gelato aromas show very good clarity and an emerging floral nuance. Silky and seamless on the palate, offering juicy citrus fruit and raspberry flavors that tighten up with air. Finishes gently sweet and long, leaving a lively citrus zest quality behind.”

Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011 375ML ($31.95) $26 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Looking at the Chateauneufs, and a gorgeous example of the vintage as well as one of the top wines, Laurent’s 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape (85% Grenache and the balance Syrah, Mourvedre and Vaccarese) offers up an elegant, seamless profile with pretty aromas and flavors of sweet cherries, licorice, rose petal, ground pepper and garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, pure and with building richness, it has a glossy, textured profile on the palate that’s hard to resist. While approachable, it has the mid-palate, freshness and overall balance to evolve gracefully for 10-12 years. Drink now-2023.”

Domaine Bois de Boursan Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Deep ruby. Deeply pitched aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, olive paste and smoky minerals, along with hints of cola and licorice. Plush and creamy on the palate, with juicy boysenberry, cherry liqueur and mocha flavors picking up a spicy quality with air. Velvety tannins build through the finish, which lingers with good tenacity and appealing sweetness.”
Domaine Bois de Boursan Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Felix 2012 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Surprisingly, I wasn’t able to taste his traditional Châteauneuf du Pape, but the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Felix will certainly be outstanding. Still in foudre, it’s a superb effort from this estate with textbook dark fruits, smoke plum, roasted meat and wild herbs to go with a rich, textured and nicely concentrated feel. If you’re looking for classic, old-school styled wines, look no further.”

M. Chapoutier Ermitage de l’Oree Blanc, Rhone 2011 750ML ($249.95) $199 special
Robert Parker 100 points “The 2011 Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree comes from a lieu-dit known as Les Murets planted with 80- to 90-year-old Marsanne vines. The bouquet offers up scents of Asian spices, lychee nuts, white currant liqueur and peach and apricot marmalade. This stunning, honeyed, flamboyant white is perfection in a glass. Drink it over the next half century.” RPM. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal Blanc 2011 750ML ($219.95) $159 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “Surprisingly, I preferred the 2011 Ermitage le Meal Blanc over the 2012 on this occasion and it showed a more flamboyant, sexy style in its caramelized pineapple, tropical, honeyed and floral personality. Big, rich and decadent, with fabulous fruit intensity and length, this rock star flirts with perfection and will keep for another 3-4 decades.”
M. Chapoutier Crozes-Ermitage Les Varonniers 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 7 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2011 Crozes-Hermitage Les Varonnieres (which is a significant step up over the 2012) got a big “Wow” in my notes and is a brilliant Crozes-Hermitage. Cote Rotie-like with its perfumed floral, bacon fat, spice and olive-driven bouquet, this full-bodied, supple and downright sexy Syrah makes the most of the vintage. Enjoy it over the coming decade or so.” JD

FRANCE-LOIRE

Guy Bossard Domaine de l’Ecu Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Orthogneiss 2013 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “This wine is creamy, rich and has a fragrant, aromatic character. It is full in the mouth, hinting almost at toastiness, certainly vanilla and rich yellow fruits. Ripely concentrated and spicy, it can be drunk now.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “The pale colored 2013 Muscadet Sevre et Maine Orthogneiss has a precise and citric fruit aroma of candied limes, dried apples and brown pips. The palate is quite rich but also piquant, fresh and salty, the finish complex and long. This is another must-taste Muscadet from this terrific biodynamic domaine.

FRANCE-PROVENCE
Chateau de Roquefort Cotes de Provence Corail Rose, Provence 2014 1.5L ($39.95) $29 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Both smooth and beautifully fruity, this is a balanced, delicious wine. It is full of wild strawberry flavors, the freshest acidity and a crisp finish with great acidity. It’s a good choice with food and as an apéritif.”

ITALY-TUSCANY

Isole e Olena Collezione De Marchi Chardonnay Toscana IGT 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Importer note “After many attempts at a white wine from Trebbiano and Malvasia, Paolo decided to use those grapes solely for Vin Santo and in 1987 made his first 100% Chardonnay.  The vineyards are a mix of exposures from West, East and some North.  Paolo likes to keep the heat accumulation down in the vineyard and extend hand time as long as possible.  Harvest occurs in September.  It’s fermented in stainless steel then sur-lie aged in French oak barrique, 1/3 new for 10 to 12 months depending on the vintage.  Battonage for the first 6 months.”

Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2012 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2012 Cepparello is magnificent. Radiant, pliant and super-expressive, the 2012 offers magnificent intensity, with silky tannins wrapped around a core of rich, dark-toned fruit. The intensity of the fruit suggests a warm vintage, but the structure is more medium in body and typical of a cooler year. Today, the 2012 gives the impression it will drink well pretty much upon release, but history has taught me Cepparello often shuts down in bottle. Either way, the 2012 is superb.” AGIsole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2013 Chianti Classico brings together the fresh aromatics of a cool year along with lovely mid-palate pliancy. The flavors are bright, high-toned and decidedly leaning towards the red-fruit end of the spectrum. Crushed flowers, herbs and anise grace the soft, aromatic finish. The overall impression is of lovely mid-palate juiciness, even if the technical stats suggest a lighter-bodied wine. That is why wine can never be measured by numbers alone.”
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata is superb. Black cherry jam, crème de cassis, smoke, plums, menthol, licorice and violets form a stunning backdrop as the 2011 opens up in the glass. Sumptuous and layered yet also quite fresh (especially for the year), the 2011 possesses superb balance and exceptional finesse. The intensity of the fruit nearly buries the tannins, but they are there. My impression is that the 2011 will offer a long and wide window of pure drinking pleasure.” AGIsole e Olena Syrah Collezione de Marchi Toscana IGT 2008 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2008 Syrah Collezione Privata jumps from the glass with expressive, pungent aromatics and waves of super-expressive dark red/black stone fruits. Mint, sage, tobacco, rosemary and plums all develop in the glass, adding further dimensions of complexity. An intensely floral, savory finish laced with lavender, violets, rose petals and spices rounds things out. At six years of age, the 2008 Syrah remains fresh, vibrant and impeccable in its purity. In particular, the interplay of dense fruit and cooler, varietal Syrah notes is compelling.” AG

La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2007 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Wine Spectator 97 points “Spicy oak aromas greet the nose, while concentrated flavors of cherry, currant and tobacco are buried underneath. Very vibrant, with refined tannins and a lingering finish of fruit, spice and mineral. Builds on the finish, with a long aftertaste. A combination of power and finesse. Best from 2015 through 2030.”WS
James Suckling 95 points “Intense aromas of dried fruits and Christmas pudding. Turns to plums and raspberries. Full and concentrated with an intense palate of dried fruits and vanilla. Powerful and concentrated style here.”

Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Le Pergole Torte is brilliant. In fact, this is one of the best showings of the 2012 that I can recall. The flavors are bright, focused and pulsing with energy. Because of its mid-weight structure and not overly complex personality, the 2012 looks like it will start drinking well sooner rather than later. Even today, the 2012 is extremely beautiful. This is a terrific showing for the 2012.”Livio Sassetti La Querciolina Sangiovese Montecucco 2012 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Importer note “Montecucco is a DOC that borders the famous DOCG of Brunello di Montalcino, and on the other side the Maremma. Soil is sandy and full of clay, with the protection of the ancient and extinct volcano Mt. Amiata that overlooks and protects the vines. The Montecucco Sangiovese is 100% Sangiovese. It is persistent and refined in the nose with plenty of little red fruits. This wine is well balanced and full-bodied.”ITALY-PIEDMONTMarchesi di Barolo Barbaresco DOCG 2010 750ML ($39.95) $28 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2010 Barbaresco offers a classic portrait of a beautiful wine in a celebrated vintage. There’s not much to criticize here: The fruit is fleshy and lively, the aromas are intense and well-defined, and the finish is long and juicy. There’s a playful dusting of white pepper that works exceptionally well to add focus and overall sharpness. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”

ITALY-SICILY
Tasca d’Almerita Tenuta Regaleali Le Rose Sicilia IGT 2014 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Wine Spectator – “The wild strawberry and black cherry fruit flavors in this creamy rosé are ripe and juicy, layered with hints of graphite, orange zest and spice. Bright and tangy. Drink now.”
 ITALY-LOMBARDYAr.Pe.Pe. Vigna Regina Riserva, Valtellina Superiore Sassella DOCG 2005 750ML ($99.95) $81.90 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2005 Valtellina Superiore Sassella Riserva Vigna Regina is a beautiful and delicate wine. This is a pure expression of the Nebbiolo grape that shows some of the sharper edges and the finer contours of the Alpine environment that characterizes its birthplace. Now, one decade after the harvest, the wine delivers enormous beauty and elegance with pure aromas of honey, dried cassis berry and light touches of licorice. Dusty mineral notes appear on the edges. The mouthfeel is super light weight and polished.”ML
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2005 Valtellina Superiore Sassella Riserva Vigna Regina is a very pretty wine to drink today, as the tannins have softened and the flavors show a good deal of complexity. Tobacco, game, incense, iron and dark stone fruits form the backbone in an imposing, brooding Sassella. Mid-weight but slightly burly, the 2005 has enough structure and acidity to drink well for another decade plus. This is a classic Valtellina red built on an understated sense of power. Readers who enjoy firm, structured wines will find much to admire.”

SPAIN

Bodegas Muga Rosado, Rioja DOCa 2014 1.5L ($34.95) $28 special
Case-3 Bodegas Muga Rosado, Rioja DOCa 2014 1.5L ($81.95) $75 special (that’s only $25/magnum!)
Wine Advocate 88 points “The rosé from Muga called simply 2014 Rosado is a classical “clarete” from the Rioja Alta, produced with Garnacha and Viura and in 2014, exceptionally, a pinch of Mazuelo (Cariñena) all harvested at the same time. The full clusters are pressed directly and the different musts are blended and then put to ferment in well-seasoned oak vats where it matures in contact with the lees for some four months. It’s a pale, salmon-colored wine with a clean, focused nose and a light palate, that is pleasant, fresh and easy to drink. Bring out those lamb chops!” WA

PORTUGAL-MADEIRA
D’Oliveiras Bual Vintage Madeira 1968 750ML ($249.95) $219 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Balanced and plush, with concentrated buttercream, hazelnut, dried apricot and tropical fruit flavors that are still fresh and lively. Citrus zest and sea salt notes show midpalate. The finish lingers with cream, dried tarragon and Asian spice details. Drink now through 2035.”D’Oliveiras Terrantez Vintage Madeira 1971 750ML ($249.95) $219 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Offers a richly spiced aroma, with flavors to match, including butterscotch, hazelnut cream and dried tropical fruits. Complex and well-integrated, featuring a plush texture. The ripe, seductive finish oozes with chocolate and dried coconut notes. Drink now through 2045.”GERMANYWeingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $89 special
Terry Theise note “OK, this is exciting; pretty deep into Dönnhoff territory now—it could be Kirschheck—shows a little botrytis but it’s good; the slate is crunchy, the sweetness is slinky; the whole gestalt harkens back to vintages of the 90s. What a smart, noble set of choices brought this wine about!”

Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #5 2013 1.5L ($159.95) $133 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Lovely discreet and subtle on the coolish/stony nose the 7.5% alcohol 2013 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese #5 reveals very fine and flinty slate and precise lime fruit aromas leading to an intense and juicy, sweet and very piquant, very pure and salty palate with aromas of ripe nectarines and structured by its racy acidity. This rather aristocratic wine is so stimulatingly pure and salty, so nicely piquant as well as intense and almost lush in its juicy fruitiness, that it should have an enormous aging potential of 20 or 30 years.”

AUSTRIA
Schloss Gobelsburg Lamm Gruner Veltliner Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2013 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 94 points “The Kamptal’s iconic Grüner Veltliner vineyard has seldom if ever had to rise to a challenge like that of the other Gobelsburg 2013s from this variety. It succeeds in part by offering scents and flavors such as make one wonder how this could come from grapes. Hyacinth and freesia in the nose are mingled with nuances of alkaline and wet stone that then, along with toasted grain and mouthwatering veal stock, dominate the palate proceedings. That’s not to suggest that this wine lacks fruit. Apple, quince and honeydew offer a luscious presence, with complete transparency to mossy forest floor and mineral intrigue. Bittersweet floral perfume adds to the wine’s creamy, glossy inner-mouth allure. Rather than the energy and dynamic so memorable in the comparable Renner, this delivers an enveloping, buoyant wave of finishing flavor.”
Terry Theise notes “It’s a high-water mark of GV perfection, and even after all these supernal vintages, this wine can still gob-smack you. It’s every possible thing to cherish about GV, brilliance and intensity, taut yet endlessly juicy, “sweet” yet steely, like taking a huge cable and stretching it to the moon.”

Schloss Gobelsburg Zobinger Heiligenstein Riesling Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2014 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 92 points “Bittersweet, subtly musky scents of iris and peony complement hints of honey and spice borne of botrytis. Silken-textured and expansive, the palate here delivers quince and ripe white peach enveloped in billowing floral perfume and set against a background of wet stone, leading to a soothingly lingering yet tinglingly citric and crystalline finish. This doesn’t display the degree of animation, complexity, salinity or primary juiciness of the remarkable corresponding Gaisberg, but still represents a superb success, especially in the context of its vintage.”
Terry Theise notes “Both this and the Gaisberg Grand Crus were crouching behind a veil of botrytis, and were hard to read. There’s an interesting wine below the shroud, and if any wine deserves the benefit of my puny doubts, it’s this one. Yet, we must wait and see.”

Moffett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special, ETA March 5^th
From Howell Mountain, Rutherford and St. Helena.  187 cases produced.
offett Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special, ETA March 5^th
Winery note “I am extremely proud and excited about the 2012 Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet. After 7 years of tending to this land, I can say with confidence that this vineyard is well established and producing great fruit. This Howell Mountain Cabernet taste just as it should with tight wild berry fruit flying out of the glass, on the palate the wine has lots of layers of fruit reaching for oxygen to show you all its glory, with 85% new French oak, one would hardly be able to tell you that much is in there because it so well integrated into the wine. The finish goes on and on.”

Chateau Leoville-Las Cases ‘Clos du Marquis’, Saint-Julien 2009 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special, ETA March 5^th
Robert Parker 93 points “Now positioned as a totally separate vineyard and a real clos (enclosed walled vineyard), this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from Jean-Hubert Delon is a beauty. Creme de cassis notes intermixed with some vanillin, crushed rock and spring flowers jump from the glass. Full-bodied and powerful (nearly 14% natural alcohol), this is a generously endowed, rich wine that was first made in 1902. The 2009 should drink well for 20-25 years. Readers need to think of it as a true classified growth, although technically it is not.”
James Suckling 93 points “Aromas of blueberries, with hints of earth and grilled meat, follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a tangy, fresh finish. Lovely citrus rind undertones. From Leoville Las Cases. Try after 2016.”
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2009 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special, ETA mid-March
Case-12 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2009 750ML ($889.95) $599 pre-arrival special (that’s only $/bottle!), ETA mid-March
Case-6 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2009 750ML ($449.95) $319 pre-arrival special (that’s only $/bottle!), ETA mid-March
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Il Poggione’s 2009 Brunello di Montalcino is a bit of a bruiser today, but it is also one of the few 2009s that is built for the cellar. Smoke, new leather, licorice, spices, scorched earth all wrap around the palate in a dark, voluptuous Brunello with plenty of intrigue. This is one of the richer, more intense wines of the year, but all the elements are very nicely balanced.”
James Suckling 92 points “A beautiful red with dried-berry, light meat and leaf character. Full body with integrated tannins and a fresh finish. This estate always makes outstanding wines. Drink or hold.”

Domaine Dugat-Py Mazis-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru

A Look Back at the 2002 (reviewed February 2016): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 95 points “Deep red-ruby. Strikingly vibrant nose offers candied blackberry, violet, spices and sexy oak tones, with a touch of cinders. Wonderfully silky and sweet but youthful, conveying terrific lift and a light touch to the flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and spices. This is still a baby but the tannins are noble. Critics of this estate complain that the young wines are too dark and extractive but this grand cru is evolving beautifully, albeit at a snail’s pace. Feb 2016.”
Domaine Dugat-Py Mazis-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru 2008 750ML ($599.95) $499 special, 12 bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2008 (reviewed May 2011): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 95 points “Deep red-ruby. Wild, complex but youthfully reticent aromas of black fruits, chocolate and game. Large-scaled and rich on entry, then closed in the middle, even youthfully imploded, and not currently showing the sweetness of the Lavaux. Tougher to taste today than the Charmes but there’s outstanding density of material here. This too will need at least a decade in the bottle to harmonize and express itself. May 2011.”

Labet & Dechelette Chateau de La Tour Clos de Vougeot Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru
A Look Back at the 2002 (reviewed February 2016): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 95 points “Medium red with an amber edge. Full-blown aromas of redcurrant and marzipan. Wonderfully sweet and silky, with lovely harmonious acidity giving energy and shape to the very concentrated middle palate. The redcurrant flavor carries through in the mouth. This plush, satisfying, seductively sweet wine has plenty of life ahead of it, thanks to its substantial ripe, buffered tannins, but it would be fantastic now with food. Very complete Clos Vougeot. Feb 2016.”
Labet & Dechelette Chateau de La Tour Clos de Vougeot Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 8 bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2011 (reviewed March 2014): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “(aged in 75% new oak): Good deep red. Musky, deep aromas of raspberry, chocolate and nutty oak. A step up in intensity and definition from the basic cuvee, with sweet red fruit and cocoa powder flavors complemented by burnished wood tones. Lovely energy for such a broad wine. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins. Today I find this more vibrant than the 2012 version. Mar 2014.”

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Domaine Robert Groffier Pere & Fils Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru
A Look Back at the 2002 (reviewed February 2016): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 94 points “Mellow, expressive aromas of musky strawberry and spices are a bit less sauvage than those of the Clos de Bèze. Smoother in the mouth as well, offering lovely finesse and restrained sweetness to the fine-grained raspberry and strawberry fruit flavors. The slowly building whiplash of a finish really stains the palate, with firm but ripe tannins contributing to the overall impression of freshness. Lingering saline minerality adds another dimension. (Incidentally, Nicolas Groffier seemed determined to show his two grand crus; he tried and failed to remove the corks of a first bottle of each wine but the second time was the charm.) Feb 2016.”
Domaine Robert Groffier Pere & Fils Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($319.95) $219 special, 2 bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2011 (reviewed March 2014): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “(vinified with one-third whole clusters; aged in one-third new oak):  Bright ruby-red.  Complex, expressive aromas of black raspberry, cassis, mocha, game, brown spices and underbrush.  Silky on entry, then thick but alive in the middle, with harmonious acidity framing the flavors of black fruits and exotic flowers.  An incredibly thick and ripe 2011 with explosive fruit.  Finishes with seamless tannins, lovely length and very good peppery lift.  Drink now or in ten years.  These 2011s are undeniably rich and thick, with adequate acidity, but I miss the ineffable treble notes the best examples of the vintage can offer. Mar 2014.”

Domaine Robert Groffier Pere & Fils Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($319.95) $289 special, 6 bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2012 (reviewed March 2015): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 94+ points “(vinified with about 33% whole clusters): Good deep red. Ineffable high-pitched aromas of crushed raspberry, cranberry, blood orange, menthol and spices. Dense and tactile but at the same time juicy and vibrant, showing excellent cut and saline complexity to its red fruit and menthol flavors. Notes of lavender, garrigue and mint contribute to the impression of inner-mouth lift. Some oak comes up with air and carries through a very long, spicy finish. Really superb fruit and perfectly judged use of stems here–and not at all heavily extracted. Nicolas Groffier noted that he’s now privileging clarity over roundess for his Bonnes-Mares. Mar 2015.”

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Domaine Trapet Pere et Fils Chambertin Grand Cru
A Look Back at the 2002 (reviewed February 2016): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Medium red with a touch of development at the rim. Wild, balsamic scents of redcurrant, smoke and olive tapenade. Fat, sweet, silky and plush but with lovely integrated acidity keeping the wine shapely and lively. Dominated by smoky minerality and underbrush today. Tannins are silky but very present. This is quite approachable but is still holding something in reserve. Jean-Louis Trapet was happy to see that this wine was gaining in flesh; he noted that it was austere, even a bit spiky, in the beginning. Feb 2016.”
Domaine Trapet Pere et Fils Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($379.95) $299 special, 10 bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2012 (reviewed March 2015): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 96 points “Good medium red, a bit less dark than the Latricières. Musky aromas of redcurrant, flint, red licorice and rocky minerality lifted by a floral topnote. Enters the mouth with great breadth, then tightens up dramatically in the middle, conveying an almost 2010-like tautness to its raspberry and crushed stone flavors. Actually comes across today as less thick and sweet than the Latricières, and utterly weightless. Builds inexorably to a crescendo on the explosive, gripping back end, which leaves the palate vibrating with licorice and peppery herbs. I love the stem influence here. Should make a classic, monumental Chambertin. Mar 2015”

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Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru
A Look Back at the 2002 (reviewed February 2016): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Good deep red. Expressive, evolving aromas of raspberry, mocha, spices and balsamic cedar and earth. Sweet, creamy and concentrated, offering a seamless texture to its captivating flavors of cassis, spices and smoky minerality. Showing some tertiary aromas but this wine has a powerful tannic structure to support an extended plane of peak drinkability. Finishes with a wild leesy nuance, superb breadth and length, and an unexpected light touch. Feb 2016.”
Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 8 bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2011 (reviewed January 2013): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92-94 points “Bright, deep red. Showy nose melds cherry, raspberry, white pepper, coffee, spices and smoky underbrush. Utterly suave, silky and fine-grained, but with firm tannins giving the fairly full mid-palate plenty of support for two decades or more of positive development in bottle. Most impressive today on the very long, subtle, rising finish, which leaves the mouth feeling refreshed. Jan 2013.”
Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($249.95) $189 special, 12 bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2013 (reviewed January 2015): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92-95 points “(production of the estate’s grand cru was just 25 hectoliters per hectare in 2013, according to Brouin): Healthy bright red. A sexy earthy perfume makes for a deep, mellow nose; smells thick! Then lush and deep on the palate, but with surprising energy and shape to the highly complex flavors of cherry, clove, espresso, dried flowers, licorice pastille, underbrush and minerals. Wonderfully plush and voluminous without any excess weight. The penetrating finish is gripping and very long. Superb, terroir-driven grand cru with a long future ahead of it. Jan 2015.”

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Domaine Armand Rousseau Pere et Fils Clos Saint-Jacques, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru
A Look Back at the 2002 (reviewed February 2016): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Good medium red. Sexy evolution to the aromas of balsamic plum, game, mocha and truffley underbrush. Plush, silky and sweet, and fresher in the mouth than the nose suggests even if the wine is not as floral as I had hoped. Perfect right now but has the mineral support to keep it going for a long time. This very rich premier cru finishes with serious but suave tannins and superb length. Consistent from start to finish. Feb 2016.”
Domaine Armand Rousseau Pere et Fils Clos Saint-Jacques, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($999.95) $749 special, 6 bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2011 (reviewed March 2014): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93+ points “Good full red.  Spicy red berries, cherry, licorice and a hint of horseradish on the nose.  Juicy, brisk and taut; not hugely fleshy but energetic and penetrating.  Conveys an impression of density without weight in the manner of the best 2011s.  Tightly wound and very backward, finishing with terrific spicy persistence.  Eric Rousseau bottled his 2011s in April of 2013; his bottles now have the domain name embossed on the bottom of the glass. Mar 2014.”

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Domaine de L’Arlot Clos des Forets Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru
A Look Back at the 2002 (reviewed February 2016): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Good medium red. A trace of development at the rim. A bit of bottle stink quickly blew off to reveal wonderfully complex aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, truffle, smoke and leather, plus a hit of decadent caramel. Seductively silky, rich and full without being heavy; not quite as complex in the mouth as on the nose but this wine is still evolving. Flavors of red berries, underbrush and oak char are framed by harmonious integrated acidity. Shows the spherical shape of a grand cru and finishes with smooth, enveloping tannins and terrific length. A beautiful showing, and there’s more to come. Feb 2016.”
Domaine de L’Arlot Clos des Forets Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($149.95) $109 special, 2 bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2012 (reviewed March 2015): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93+ points “Healthy medium red. Ripe, spicy aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, tobacco and minerals. Finer and more complex than the Clos de l’Arlot but also shows outstanding breadth and depth of texture, not to mention definition of flavor. Finishes with serious building tannins and a rocky minerality that contributes thrust. In contrast to the Clos de l’Arlot, this potentially outstanding wine really calls for patience. Mar 2015.”

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Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Cailles, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru
A Look Back at the 2002 (reviewed February 2016): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Healthy bright red. Deep, smoky red fruits and a whiff of truffle on the nose and palate. Plump, rich and deep, conveying an utterly seamless texture and terrific volume for Nuits-Saint-Georges. Perfectly accessible right now owing to its supple tannins and total lack of rough edges but this very long wine is still young. “Try the Cailles with cailles [quail],” suggests Bertrand Chevillon. Feb 2016.”
Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Cailles, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($139.95) $99 special, 36+ bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2011 (reviewed March 2014): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92 points “Good dark, bright red. Dark cherry, bitter chocolate and crushed stone on the nose. Broad, dry and refined, with a sweetness leavened by pungent red berry flavors complicated by spices, pepper and earth. Can’t match the fruit intensity and freshness of the young 2012 version but the rising finish boasts glistening, sweet tannins and a sound structure for a graceful evolution in bottle. Mar 2014.”
Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Cailles, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 10 bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2012 (reviewed January 2014): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93-95 points “Bright, deep red. Pungent crushed-stone minerality accents musky black cherry and red berries on the almost liqueur-like nose. Juicy, supple and energetic on the palate, communicating a sappy, youthfully imploded character and a magically light touch for such a rich wine. The tactile, slowly building finish saturates the mouth with red fruits and crushed stone. Great potential here. Jan 2014.”

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Domaine des Epeneaux Comte Armand Clos des Epeneaux Monopole, Pommard Premier Cru
A Look Back at the 2002 (reviewed February 2016): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Bright medium red, with little sign of amber. Expressive aromas of redcurrant, cinnamon, mocha, leather and earth, with complicating ferrous notes of iron and tobacco. Wonderfully silky and fine-grained, showing lovely class and lift to its red fruit and spice flavors. Not a powerhouse but remarkably suave and smooth for Pommard. Really rises and lingers on the highly aromatic finish. Still on an upswing. Feb 2016.”
Domaine des Epeneaux Comte Armand Clos des Epeneaux Monopole, Pommard Premier Cru 2006 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles available
A Look Forward at the 2006 (reviewed March 2009): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92 points “Good bright, deep red. Energetic nose offers black cherry, minerals and menthol; distinctly cooler than the 2007. Then dense, pure and suave, with a vibrant cassis flavor and excellent back-end breadth and persistence. The substantial dusty tannins coat the teeth. This is showing beautifully today, especially considering the fact that it was only bottled in July of ’08. Leroux notes that the 2006s improved markedly during their last six months of elevage. Mar 2009.”

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Domaine Henri Gouges Les Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru
A Look Back at the 2002 (reviewed February 2016): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 94 points “Good dark red with ruby highlights. Brooding dark plum and underbrush aromas, along with a balsamic menthol quality; shows subtle hints of development but essentially still very youthful. Wonderfully sweet and full in the mouth if a bit medicinal. This refined, dry, spherical wine finishes with serious, building tannins to support very long aging. Gregory Gouges, who only took charge of winemaking here in 2007, noted that the estate in 2002 “did much different extraction and was not yet working by gravity.” But this wine is a knockout. Feb 2016.”
Domaine Henri Gouges Les Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
A Look Forward at the 2013 (reviewed January 2015): Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92-94 points “Bright red. Ripe, musky aromas of red berries, minerals and rust. Suave and creamy-sweet in the mouth, with an almost jammy ripeness but also very good framing acidity to the crunchy red berry flavors. Perhaps a bit youthfully disassociated at present, not to mention firmly tannic on the back end, yet this is easier to taste today than the Vaucrains owing to its sheer sex appeal. Offers superb potential. Jan 2015” ST